Bleeders & Aftershave Routine

[Brad Smith]

For whatever reason (be it my skin, lather quality, technique, blades, etc.) I often get a couple bleeders each shave. I have the following post-shave routine:

1. Rinse with warm water for 30 seconds.
2. Rinse with cold water for 30-60 seconds.
3. Rub alum block over face, let sit for 30 seconds while cleaning brush, etc.
4. Rinse with cold water for 15-20 seconds.
5. Splash Aqua Velva on face.
6. Rinse with cold water for 15-20 seconds.
7. Dab face a bit to remove dripping water (leaving the face wet, but not excessively so)
8. Apply Mama Bear's Winter Aftershave.

The first 7 steps seem to stop most bleeders, but when I move on to the aftershave milk the bleeders usually return and start flowing again.

Any ideas on how to combat this? I hate leaving to work with a bunch of bandages or toilet paper pieces stuck to the face.

[Queen of Blades]

What happens if you don't use the aftershave milk? :confused:

Do you ever use a different aftershave? And does the same thing happen?

[TraderJoe]

8. Apply Mama Bear's Winter Aftershave.

Any ideas on how to combat this? I hate leaving to work with a bunch of bandages or toilet paper pieces stuck to the face.

I would leave this step out, replace it with the application of a styptic pencil to the weepers. If you are in need of moisturization, I would apply that later (1-2 hours) after the skin has completely healed/closed up.

Finally, combat the source of the trouble - why are you getting weepers in the first place? I suspect you are opening up razor bumps left behind from prior shave.

Hope that helps, if not - let us know what your shave routine is like.

[Michael]

How about...

3. Dab bleeders w/ styptic, THEN rub alum block over face, let sit for 30 seconds while cleaning brush, etc.

Also, why are 6-8 there? Seems to me 5 should be AV or MB or whatever and your done. I don't get why you're "layering". And as long as I'm questioning...I don't use that much water while I'm SHOWERING!! :D

But Joe's right. You need to figure out why this is happening.

(BTW, Joe - what's a razor bump?...seriously.)

[MaduroMan_wcp]

how about mine?

rinse face w, cold water

pat dry

slap on some Clubman

squirt mirror with tears and hop up and down in place.... :eek:




get a styptic pencil for any bleeders, they burn a little but stop the bleeding

[Brad Smith]

Currently I don't have a styptic pencil, assuming the alum basically did that job. I added the AV splash in there to help combat razor burn, but my face is always notoriously dry and the MB Aftershave does a great job of soothing the face and moisturizing.

My full routine looks like this...

1. Fill sink and shaving bowl with hot water from tap and a little Calgon (notoriously hard water), put shaving brush in to soak
2. Shower, dry off everywhere but beard area
3. Make lather (usually creams [Nancy Boy, Taylor's Avocado, MB Creams], sometimes MB soaps)
4. Rinse face with warm water from sink for a little bit
5. Apply either Coral Skin Food, Proraso Pre/Post Shave, or nothing depending on mood
6. Lather up the beard
7. WTG pass with Merkur HD and either Derby or Swedish Gillette blades (haven't made it to the Feather yet in the sample pack)
8. Rinse with warm water.
9. Repeat 6-8 (sometimes putting coral skin food on again) for XTG x 2 and ATG
10. Aftershave routine from the first post.

I will try some of your guys' suggestions in the morning. Thanks!

[Mottern Man]

Don't over do it.

Keep it simple


JUST SHAVE BABY!

I would say just shower wash face, lather up, shave 1 pass with the grain, cold water, aftershave splash, wait until you see blood spots then hit them with the alum, apply aftershave again, call it a day.


after a few days with out any cuts then try new things just keep it simple for now.

[TraderJoe]

Currently I don't have a styptic pencil, assuming the alum basically did that job. I added the AV splash in there to help combat razor burn, but my face is always notoriously dry and the MB Aftershave does a great job of soothing the face and moisturizing.

My full routine looks like this...

1. Fill sink and shaving bowl with hot water from tap and a little Calgon (notoriously hard water), put shaving brush in to soak
2. Shower, dry off everywhere but beard area
3. Make lather (usually creams [Nancy Boy, Taylor's Avocado, MB Creams], sometimes MB soaps)
4. Rinse face with warm water from sink for a little bit
5. Apply either Coral Skin Food, Proraso Pre/Post Shave, or nothing depending on mood
6. Lather up the beard
7. WTG pass with Merkur HD and either Derby or Swedish Gillette blades (haven't made it to the Feather yet in the sample pack)
8. Rinse with warm water.
9. Repeat 6-8 (sometimes putting coral skin food on again) for XTG x 2 and ATG
10. Aftershave routine from the first post.

I will try some of your guys' suggestions in the morning. Thanks!

5. Using Coral SF as a preshave always tore me up, and Proraso Pre/Post wasn't much better. (though some use it with good results) Have you tried shaving without either of these? I always found them to make the lather drier and cause razor-drag.

9. Have you tried shaving with less passes?


My instincts tell me you have a tough beard, with sensitive skin. I am somewhat in the same boat, and have found that the Prep is of utmost importance (I always get my best shaves using a hot towel). Also, the sharper the blade and more aggressive the razor, the better......

Why? With an ultra-sharp blade, and ultra-aggressive razor, you can truly shave with the lightest of touch and the least amount of passess.....the combo of which are ideal for sensitive skin.

I wound up realizing that with my sensitive skin and beard type, I needed to not only use excellent pre-shave preparation, but that I had to apply a preshave oil. This was the only way for me to shave 7x per week without irritation and achieve the BBS.

[Hawkeye5]

Great insight Joe!
I find that weepers, more often than not, will make an appearance after a surprising length of time rather than right away. Now I'm a old fart and take blood thinners, so if that is the case for me, it surely must be even more so for you young bucks.

[Brad Smith]

5. Using Coral SF as a preshave always tore me up, and Proraso Pre/Post wasn't much better. (though some use it with good results) Have you tried shaving without either of these? I always found them to make the lather drier and cause razor-drag.
I started using Coral SF and Proraso Pre/Post in an attempt to minimize razor drag/bouncing, which is sometimes really bad. It seems to be somewhat related to whether or not I have the mixture of tap water and Calgon right for the day. I maybe should try to get distilled water and heat it up somehow instead of using tap.
9. Have you tried shaving with less passes?
I have tried fewer passes, and I can't get the shave even remotely close with fewer. Sometimes two passes is OK, but lately I've been alternating days for shaving (so I have more beard to remove, but the razor bumps die down a little bit). It's usually the third and fourth passes where the bleeders appear.
My instincts tell me you have a tough beard, with sensitive skin. I am somewhat in the same boat, and have found that the Prep is of utmost importance (I always get my best shaves using a hot towel). Also, the sharper the blade and more aggressive the razor, the better......

Why? With an ultra-sharp blade, and ultra-aggressive razor, you can truly shave with the lightest of touch and the least amount of passess.....the combo of which are ideal for sensitive skin.

I wound up realizing that with my sensitive skin and beard type, I needed to not only use excellent pre-shave preparation, but that I had to apply a preshave oil. This was the only way for me to shave 7x per week without irritation and achieve the BBS.
For the hot towel, what's the best way to prepare one?

I need to move on to the Feather blades and see how that works.

[rick]

I need to move on to the Feather blades and see how that works.

Brad:
...ya need to slow down, Brutha.
Hold off on getting the Feathers for the time being.
If I were you, I would try to SIMPLIFY things as much as possible.
That means cutting out as many variables as you can.
Start by choosing hardware you know you like:

Razor
Blade
Soap / Cream
AS
ASB (if needed)

and stick to the basics for AT LEAST a week
1: Shower first (I know, I know)
2: Pay particular attention to positively performing perfect preparation...
3: USE ONLY WTG PASSES and maybe XTG. Allow your face to get used to this.
3: POST shave...
* warm water rinse - to remove residue
* cold water rinse - to seal your pores
* AS splash - to tone (condition) I prefer and recommend AquaVelva classic, but anything alcohol-based is very good IMO.
* something healing- I use a combo of witch hazel and aloe gel that I mix up meself ;)
* ASB. Whatever works for ya.

I can recommend all sorts of tips and tricks but for now....
you need to get comfy in a basic regimen that works...FOR YOU !!
K.I.S.S. :D
.....thats what I havta keep telling me.
Good Luck.
PM is welcome if you have any questions.

[moviemaniac]

my normal routine:

warm water rinse
cold water splash
alcoholic AS
ASB

my routine when I cut myself:

warm water rinse
cold water splash
alum
alcoholic AS
ASB

works mighty fine, all I need is to rub the alum bloc all over my face and I'm a-ok :cool:

[TraderJoe]

For the hot towel, what's the best way to prepare one?



What I usually do is just throw a hand towel in the sink, and run very hot water on it and let it soak for a few seconds, then ring it out until it isn't dripping and apply to wet face (repeat for even greater effect). When using a hot towel, I will use two treatments, and will apply a pre-shave oil before application of the second hot towel.

Instead of heating the towel in sink, you can microwave it too....but that seems like a PITA to me.....not to mention I usually keep the bathroom door shut so the steam from shower stays in and helps marinate the beard.

[Michael]

... helps marinate the beard.

Have you tried teriyaki sauce? :cool:

[Mottern Man]

Have you tried teriyaki sauce? :cool:

:rofl :rofl :rofl


What about BBQ sauce as a preshave.:D

[Smedley]

:rofl :rofl :rofl


What about BBQ sauce as a preshave.:D

:rolleyes005 Too many onions.

[MaduroMan_wcp]

seems to me some of ya all over complicate things....

sometimes I use proaso pre shave, but only w/ their soap. other than that it's just...
1) wash face in shower

2)whup up lather and spread on face, shave WTG

3)wipe off face w/ hot water

4) re-lather and shave XTG

5) wipe off face w/ hot water

6) re-lather and shave ATG

7) wipe off face w/ hot water

8) take cold wet washcloth and gently cool off face

9) slap on some clubman if it is my morning shave. if it's my evening shave I use nuetrgena A/S balm.

[crackstar]

oh, geez if I ever cut myself.........:( :( :( :( I'm in trouble....I always get a severe reaction.

[mercV12]

I would shave BEFORE showering if the weepers continue.

[Scorpio]

my advise:

don't get weepers shave with a straight razor!!!!:D

btw hold off on the feathers, if you are getting weepers now...with feathers:shocked003

Raf

[Mottern Man]

my advise:

don't get weepers shave with a straight razor!!!!:D

btw hold off on the feathers, if you are getting weepers now...with feathers:shocked003

Raf


Ya never know, maybe the sharpness will make the razor run smooth and not tear him up.

[crackstar]

The Feathers are what almost did me in. :ashamed001 :( Never again. ::ban

[johnniegold]

The Feathers are what almost did me in. :ashamed001 :( Never again. ::ban
+ 1 ::ban

[qhsdoitall]

For me, if it starts to tug and skip, I'm just asking for a nick or weeper. I'll stop and re-evaluate what I changed. First thing would be to change blades if I'm on day 3. Second would be what was my prep like. Most of my creams and soaps don't let me down in the slick department so, I look to see if I rushed the prep.

If I get a weeper or nick. It's cold water rinse and use a styptic. Cold water rinse again. Then Alum block and normal post prep routine. Hasn't failed yet. I just have to avoid re-opening the weeper or nick the next 2 days and I should be fine.

[Leisureguy]

If I'm still bleeding after the aftershave, I use My Nik Is Sealed (http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=5601&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=161&iProductID=5601). I like it a lot better than a styptic pencil.

[jls1963]

I take anticoagulants, and am only on my third DE shave, but My Nik is Sealed is amazing stuff. Was vary wary of trying DE shaving, but read so many posts and blogs (thanks, Leisureguy), thought I'd give it a try. Can tell already that the Derby's are a bit too mild, but the few goofs I've made were immediately stopped by My Nik....
Cheers,
j

[qhsdoitall]

Welcome jls1963!

[Baloosh]

Welcome jls1963!

+1

Welcome Welcome!!!!

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome to The Shave Den, jls1963!

[Sejanus]

Welcome!

[jls1963]

Thanks y'all!
Cheers,
j